University of Virginia Library

From whence proceeds those Philomelian airs
Cloath'd in such angry words; whose's that dispairs
And wil not love, if Argalus should wo them
For fear a vile Dimagoras should undo them?
What Hellish tongue pronounc'd so damn'd a word?
It is well known Dimagoras is a Lord,
Of more obliging courtesie; his Arm
Was always ready to defend from harm
Distressed Ladies? If I speak a lye,
Oh may some well-prov'd Knight appear, and try
What I dare act; ------
------ At that time did resort
(As if that fortune meant to crown the sport
With good success) a Clown, whose well-known name
Was Clinias, much admired for his Fame,
In being infamous; and this was he
That strove t' obtain a glorious Victorie
Over Demetas; But in short, the Knights
(Being covetous to feast with new delights
Corinda's eyes) did forthwith send away
For Clinias, who arriv'd without delay;
And being come, they presently declare
Their minds unto him, bid him to prepare,
And arm himself; for now it must be try'd
Whether his well-prov'd valour will abide
A fierce assault: Clinias receives this news
With an astonish'd brest, begins to muse;
Non plust for want of words, thinks he, should I
Shew my self so unworthy to deny
This first Command, I should for ever be
Disrob'd of honour, cloth'd with infamie;
But what care I; What honour can proceed
From blood? besides, I truly hate to bleed:
May he, whose steely brow invented first
This thing call'd fighting, ever be accurst;
I hate it with my soul; besides, I vow'd
The last Encounter (if I was allow'd
The favour of a Conquest) I would never
Be valiant more, but live at peace for ever;
The very thoughts of fighting is enough
To kill me; pish; this honour's but a puff;
I'le tell an honourable lye, and say
I'm troubl'd with an Ague, and this day
'Twill sojorn in my bones, I'le not dissemble,
For I have fear enough to make me tremble,
And they shall see't, which sure will make them cease
Their importunity, and yeild me peace:
But haste requir'd an answer, therefore they
Bid him resolve whether he would obey
Corinda's pleasure; Clynias having got
An Ague in his tongue, replyed not
So soon as was expected; but at last
(Compounding with his fear) and having past
The trouble of his thoughts, he soon displays
The colours of his heart, looks up and says,
Think not (you most Renowned Knights) that I
Have studyed, by my silence, to deny
The honour you impose for I protest
And swear by sweet Corinda, that my breast
Is ready to defend her; but I find
A weakness in my body (not my mind)
Just at this instant, I am half asleep,
(And there he stop'd) I feel a spirit creep
Into my bones; Alas I am all frost:
Oh how I shake, my strength, my limbs, are lost:
Action's the best of cure for this desease
Reply'd the Knight, Now therefore if you please
To mount your Steed, you'le very much endeare
Your self unto Corinda, and appear
The object of our praises, for behold
How near they come, and will, if not control'd,
Attempt the Bowr; with that, sad Clinias, cast
His eyes about, and looking, had at last
Observ'd it was Dimag'ras, then he cryes,
Give me my Horse, my Armour, I despise
This thing call'd cold, hereafter, I'le proclaim
True valour turns a frost into a flame;
Oh how I'le slice the slaves within this hour,
And bring the villains heads into the Bowr,
And lay them at Corinda's feet, that she
May tryumph in my glorious victorie:
Now Clinias strives to mount his well-known Steed
On the wrong side, whose, allmost cripple, speed
Answers his Riders valour; being plac'd
Within the Sadle, seem'd to make great hast:
Away he goes, and meeting with his foes,
He told them, they must labour to oppose
His valour, having wilfully transgrest
In their approch, as was before exprest:
Corinda and the Knights were all this while
Within the Bowr, and could not chuse but smile,
To hear, and see, how Clinias did behave
Himself, observing very much his grave
Deportment towards them, for he soon descry'd
Their servile fear, which made him swel with pride;
But yet he fearing that Dimagoras might,
Being (as 'twere) compel'd, presume to fight,
He spake bigg words; and to advance his fame,
And quell their courage, he usurp'd the name
Of bold Amphialus, which sadly made
Dimag'ras, more then usually afraid;
But when they saw the Page was near at hand
With Horse and Arms, they all three jointly stand,
Gazing upon each other; Clinias thought
T' excuse the matter, and remit the fault,
Because it was the first; but that prov'd vain,
For then he fear'd, when he return'd again
Unto the Bowr, Corinda would command
His speedy death; time would not let him stand
To reason longer, neither could he stay,
So he in short, concludes to run away;
Which he had done, had not the Goaler shown
His Warrant to him, which was after known
To be an amorous Ballad, for indeed
Clinias (though looking on it) could not read;
But took it in his hand, and for a while
He seems to read and now, and then to smile
At the Contents; the Goaler having spy'd
The wrong end upwards, smil'd, being satisfy'd
Of his transcendent ignorance, declar'd
What was before related, and prepar'd
To march away, desiring first to know
Whether that he were satisfy'd or no:
I dare not now (said Clinias) but reveal
My satisfaction, having hand, and seal
To warrant me, and if you please, you may
Take your own liberty, and hast away:
At which Dimagoras (though much pleas'd) exprest
Much discontent with an inraged Brest;
But at the last his seeming discontent
Gladly abated, and away he went;
And so did Clinias, glad withall his heart
Of such a fair advantage to depart;
And now he thinks each munite is an age
Before his near arrival could engage
Corinda to a thankfulness; for he
Thinks he has more then got a Victorie;
At last approaching near the Bowr, a Knight
Came forth unto him, wisht him to alight,
And enter in, that so he might possess
The honour due unto his worthiness;
Who having enter'd, presently was brought
Unto Corindas presence, whilst he thought
Himself in Heaven, and that the time drew near
That his long promis'd glory should appear;
Corinda viewing him, was well content
To see his clownish garb, and after sent
The favour of a look, to let him know
(As he suppos'd) her goodness to bestow
Reward upon his merits; but at last
More, then half ravish'd Clinias, having past
The bounds of silence, opn'd wide, and said,